The growing number of boutique hotel booking websites, along with the addition of bed & breakfasts and apartment style accommodations, makes it an overwhelming process for travelers to choose accommodations that fit their needs and budgets. It is important for travelers to know all of their options when booking hotel accommodations, and to look at a few key factors when making their final decision. The goal of this article is to highlight the best ways to book boutique hotel accommodations for your upcoming travel that best suits what your priorities.
As the Vice President of Revenue Management at The Delaney Hotel, I am always asked, “Why isn’t this promotion on Expedia?” or “If I book through Hotel Tonight, can I still get a room with one king bed even though I can’t choose the room type?”.
I frequently advise customers that if you book directly on The Delaney Hotel website, you will find the best hotel deals in downtown Orlando Florida that are available. If the guests find a better deal online, and they call us to price match, we will drop the online price by $10 as a thanks for booking directly with The Delaney Hotel.
It is important for travelers to know that there are different options than the OTA’s, and that it can be a win-win for the guest and the hotel if the guest books directly. They will receive lower rates and more chances for upgrades while the boutique hotel will not have to pay a commission.
Whenever a guest asks me “What is the best way to book a hotel?”, I recommend that they first use multiple websites. I personally search on Google, TripAdvisor, and Expedia, and I will use the map to make sure the area is close to where my business or leisure activities will take place. For example, The Delaney Hotel is located in Downtown Orlando Florida so I would be sure to do my due diligence when researching the surrounding area. This will help narrow down the search to hotels that are in close proximity of where you need to be. You could find the best hotels to stay in Orlando, but if it’s in an inconvenient location, it’ll be a nightmare for transportation.
From there, I use the filtering options provided by the site and will sort by the best guest rating and read through a handful of reviews. The reviews and ratings are the best tool to understand if the hotel will provide the quality accommodation you’re seeking. After going through those motions, I suggest finding the hotel that fits your budget with the best rating, and then immediately use the hotel’s website to see if they have any promotions available or call the hotel to ask about specific promotions or specials. For example, The Delaney Hotel runs AAA, AARP, Military, and Florida Resident discounts that is only available on their site and will also give them options, such as pre-check in or prepaying for parking to make their check-in process seamless.
What makes The Delaney Hotel unique is that our highly trained staff continually puts the guests first, even before they have stayed at our boutique hotel in Orlando. In the past, guests have called to let them know that there is a lower rate on a third-party travel agent. In this case, our staff will offer a more affordable price than the one online and book the room for the guest over the phone. There is no need for our staff to speak to a manager as we want the guest to receive the best deal possible when booking directly with our property. In some instances, the guest might be booking on a slow night, and we will book them in an upgraded room at no extra charge. At the Delaney Hotel, we go above and beyond for our guests.
Due to the sheer volume of options, we want to empower guests to make informed decisions about the best hotel in Orlando Florida for their needs, and then to help them book at the best price, or to potentially find ways to receive upgraded accommodations. If you’d like to learn more about The Delaney Hotel, please visit our website or email us directly at info@staydh.com and we will be happy to answer any questions or get your room in Downtown Orlando, FL booked today!